The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has announced the successful start-up of the 1.4 GW fourth unit at the Barakah nuclear power plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). The unit is expected to be connected to the UAE’s national grid in the coming weeks. Commissiong of Barakah-4 experienced delays, as it was originally scheduled to start operations before the end of 2023.
The Barakah nuclear plant is developed by Nawah Energy, a joint venture of ENEC and Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco). Kepco's subsidiary Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) started to build the project in 2012, which consists of four 1.4 GW APR-1400 units. The first reactor was commissioned in April 2021, the second reactor in March 2022, and the third in February 2023. Construction of the fourth unit began in 2015. All units are licenced to operate for 60 years.
In 2022, nuclear represented 9.5% of the UAE’s installed capacity with 4 GW and 12% of its power generation with more than 19 TWh.
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